Graduate Programs

Master's in Education

The purpose of the Master in Education Program is to increase professional teachers' competencies. Through participation in learning activities that are based upon current research, Westminster’s education degree courses are taught to develop the spirit of scientific inquiry, stimulate original and independent thought, and identify and respond to major educational issues.

The requirements of the Master in Education Program are flexible and allow for individual selection of courses based upon an assessment of each student's educational background, interests, and needs.

A plan of study, which includes a four-course area of concentration, should be established before beginning the Professional Specialization phase of the Master in Education Program. Successful completion of the agreed-upon courses in the education program leads to the degree of master in education.

The student and adviser will examine the student's educational background, interests, and needs, and plan the program accordingly. The aim of the program is to supplement the student's undergraduate preparation and further broaden the student's background in teaching.

Related Documents

Requirements for M.ED. (No Certification)

More information about the Master in Education Program and related curriculum may be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Reading Specialist K–12 Certification

Welcome to the Reading Specialist Certification Program at Westminster College. The graduate program for Reading Specialist at Westminster College is designed to develop the requisite knowledge, applicable skills, and appropriate attitudes in aspiring reading specialists.

Standards are woven through the coursework, the related field experiences, and the culminating internship. The integration of practical fieldwork, simulations, and problem-solving activities with the academic courses is central to the program.

The Reading Specialist Certification Program at Westminster is undergirded by...

Related Documents

Requirements for M.ED. with PA Certification as Reading Specialist

To enroll in a Master in Education degree with a Pennsylvania Reading specialist certification, Westminster requires successful completion of:

Comprehensive examination

Praxis exam (minimum score of 570)

Off-Campus Cohort Option

The Reading Specialist Program is also available in a cohort format. For more information, contact the Graduate Information Office at 888-378-2779 or via email.

School Counselor (Elementary/Secondary) Degree

The School Counselor (Counselor Education) Program at Westminster College is a comprehensive sequence of courses and field experiences that are designed to prepare students as specialists in professional counseling services in the school setting. Through the School Counselor Master in Education Degree Program and internship, students acquire a practical knowledge of school counseling theory and develop effective school counseling skills.

Requirements for School Counselor M. ED. (No Certification)

The School Counselor Master in Education degree from Westminster requires successful completion of:

30 semester hours of coursework (10 courses)

Comprehensive examination

Requirements for School Counselor M. ED. with PA Certification for School Counseling

The School Counselor Master in Education degree with a Pennsylvania certification from Westminster requires successful completion of:

30 semester hours of coursework (10 courses)

6 semester hours of internship (300 clock hours) completed in school under the supervision of an experienced, certified school counselor

Comprehensive examination

Completion and/or documentation of coursework to meet Chapter 49-2 requirements(if application for certification is mailed after December 31, 2012)

Requirements for School Counselor M. ED. with Ohio Certification for School Counseling

The School Counselor Master in Education degree with an Ohio certification from Westminster requires successful completion of:

30 semester hours of coursework (10 courses)

12 semester hours of internship (600 clock hours) completed in school under the supervision of an experienced, certified school counselor

The program meets school counselor certification requirements in Pennsylvania. The program is designed to meet Ohio school counselor licensure requirements, but licensure is subject to changing Ohio standards, Ohio Department of Education ODE transcript analysis, and testing requirements. In some cases, additional coursework may be required to meet Ohio state standards.

Off-Campus Cohort Option

The School Counselor Program is also available in a cohort format. For more information, contact the Graduate Information Office at 888-378-2779 or via email.

School Principal K–12 Degree

The School Principal graduate program at Westminster in PA is designed to develop those competencies for a school principal that will enable him or her to work with other professional personnel in designing and carrying out effective programs in elementary, middle, and high schools. These competencies are further developed under program approval guidelines that describe the role of the school principal in the following general areas:

as an advocate for elementary, middle, and secondary education

as an educational leader

as an educational supervisor

as a coordinator of relations among community and professional staff

and as an executive manager.

School Principal Program studies are centered on research-oriented discussions, class and online activities, field experiences, personal study, and written work. Instructional certification and experience is a prerequisite.

The School Principal Program meets principal certification requirements in Pennsylvania and is designed to meet Ohio principal licensure requirements as well. The educational leadership programs were developed in accordance with the standards of the National Associations of Elementary and Secondary Principals and the American Association of School Administrators.

Ohio Certification

Westminster's School Principal Program meets principal certification requirements in Pennsylvania. The program is designed to meet Ohio principal licensure requirements, but licensure is subject to changing Ohio standards, Ohio Department of Education ODE transcript analysis, and testing requirements. In some cases, additional coursework may be required to meet Ohio state standards.

For more detailed information on the School Principal Program, including individual course requirements, consult the Principal Program Handbook.

Off-Campus Cohort Option

The School Principal K–12 Program is also available in a cohort format. For more information, contact the Graduate Information Office at 888-378-2779 or via email.

School Superintendent (Letter of Eligibility)

The School Superintendent Letter of Eligibility certifies the holder to be a school superintendent, intermediate unit executive director, and curriculum director, while also holding other positions of school leadership.

The School Superintendent Program is designed to develop those competencies for a school superintendent that will enable him or her to work with other professional personnel in designing and carrying out effective programs in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. These competencies are further developed under program approval guidelines that describe the role of the superintendent of schools in the following general areas:

as an advocate for elementary, middle, and secondary education

as an educational leader

as an educational supervisor

as a coordinator of relations among community and professional staff

and as an executive manager.

School Superintendent Program studies are centered around research-oriented discussions, class and online activities, field experiences, personal study, and written work. Instructional certification and experience is a prerequisite.

The Superintendent Program meets School Superintendent certification requirements in Pennsylvania and is designed to meet Ohio Superintendent licensure requirements. The educational leadership programs were developed in accordance with the standards of the National Associations of Elementary and Secondary Principals and the American Association of School Administrators.

Westminster's School Superintendent Program meets certification requirements in Pennsylvania. The program is designed to meet Ohio superintendent licensure requirements, but licensure is subject to changing Ohio standards, Ohio Department of Education ODE transcript analysis, and testing requirements. In some cases, additional coursework may be required to meet Ohio state standards.

Special Education PreK–8

Welcome to the Special Education Program at Westminster College in PA. The Special Education Program is designed to develop the requisite knowledge and appropriate skills to work with students with disabilities in K-8. We offer three avenues to acquire Special Education certification in the state of Pennsylvania.

Special Education Certification

For those individuals who already have a certificate to teach and wish to add special education K-8 certification.

Master in Special Education

For those individuals seeking a Master’s in Special Education

Master's in Special Education with Reading Specialist Certification

For those individuals seeking a Master’s in Special Education and Reading Specialist certification